Japan and the Pacific, and a Japanese View of the Eastern Question

"Japan and the Pacific, and a Japanese View of the Eastern Question" by Manjiro Inagaki is a late 19th-century historical exploration of Japan's place in the Pacific and its relationships with powerful Western nations like England and Russia. It offers a Japanese point of view on the imperial expansion happening at the time. The book starts with a preface where Inagaki explains his goal to discuss Japan's importance in the Pacific and its past dealings with England and Russia. He points out the growing conflicts in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and how they affect the Pacific area. Inagaki goes over the history of Russian and British foreign policies in Asia, highlighting key events like the Persian and Chinese wars that have influenced the current political situation, setting the stage for examining Japan's potential alliances and its rising role on the world stage.